Henry Slade in action© Tom Dulat/Getty Images

Henry Slade deserves to be fast-tracked into England's matchday squad for the upcoming World Cup after a breakout season for Exeter Chiefs, according to Austin Healey.

Slade is yet to make a full senior appearance for the national side and has just two England Saxons appearances to his name, but former England international Healey believes it will be impossible for head coach Stuart Lancaster to ignore the utility back when he names his World Cup squad on August 31.

Slade has been instrumental in firing the Chiefs to play-off contention. The 22-year-old has already tasted life with the senior side after taking part in England's Six Nations training camp last month, but Healey insists Lancaster cannot afford to ignore his talents when the World Cup kicks off in September.

"Henry Slade is, in my mind, one of the best players in the Premiership," Healey told ESPNScrum. "He's deserving of being in that World Cup squad because he gives you so many alternatives in the matchday 23. He can come in as a reserve fly-half, he can play at fullback, at centre, and he's got a siege gun of a boot."

Austin Healey© BT Sport

Healey, now a BT Sport pundit, believes Slade could add to his March player of the month award with a player of the season gong in May, but says there are others putting up their hands for World Cup contention.

"[Wasps back] Elliot Daly has had an excellent year and has to be on the horizon for Stuart Lancaster as an alternative to Jonathan Joseph in that midfield," Healey said. "You'd then add Dave Ewers, who's been marvellous in Exeter's back-row. He makes a lot of tackles, second on the chart behind Mark Wilson at Newcastle, who's also had a fantastic year."

When it comes to player of the season, Healey believes Slade will face stiff competition from some familiar faces, with one stand-out candidate currently lodged in the England No.10 shirt.

"Samu Manoa has had a monumental year," Healey said. "Courtney Lawes, even though he's missed a lot of it through injury, he's been fantastic too.

"Danny Cipriani's had a particularly good year - he gets a lot of column inches but not necessarily the credit he deserves. No, actually when I say the best player, that has got to be George Ford. He's actually showing kids how you should be playing fly-half, rather than just standing there, hoofing it and kicking drop goals. He's great to watch."

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